India Announces Squad for Final Tests Against England, Kohli Withdraws Due to Personal Reasons

Hubli Express News, New Delhi, Feb 10 : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India’s squad for the final three Tests of the ongoing IDFC First Bank series against England, with some notable inclusions and one major absence.

Kohli Pulls Out: Star batsman Virat Kohli will not be available for the remaining matches due to personal reasons. The BCCI statement expressed full respect and support for his decision.

Key Returnees: All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opener KL Rahul, both recovering from injuries, are included in the squad subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team. Their inclusion would bolster India’s batting and bowling line-up significantly.

Squad Announced: Captain Rohit Sharma leads the 18-member squad, which also features established performers like Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. Youngsters Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and KS Bharat also find a place in the squad.

Newcomers Join the Mix: Pacer Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep receive maiden call-ups for the national team, showcasing India’s focus on building depth in their bowling attack.

Series Schedule: The third Test commences on February 15 in Rajkot, followed by the fourth Test in Ranchi from February 23. The series culminates with the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala on March 7.

Impact of Squad Changes: Kohli’s absence leaves a big void in the batting order, but the return of Jadeja and potential inclusion of Rahul provide a welcome boost. The young players will be eager to grab their opportunities and make an impact.

All eyes will be on the fitness of Jadeja and Rahul, as their presence could significantly alter the balance of the series. India will look to build on their lead and clinch the series victory, while England will aim to bounce back and force a thrilling conclusion.